Kaohsiung Harbor→TRA Taichung Station
A private car service around Taiwan
Distance：209 km ｜Travel time：162 mins
fare estimation
Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station - meet & greet
There are many ways to travel from a harbor to a station, but if you want to balance cost, time, and convenience without driving yourself, booking a private transfer is usually the best choice. Among the many car hire ads and ride-hailing groups, legality should always come first. If the ride is accepted directly by the driver rather than arranged through a licensed company or travel agency, you could run into problems if stopped by the police—and if the vehicle’s license plate does not begin with T or R, it is essentially illegal (commonly known as an unlicensed private car). Before booking, it’s also wise to check online reviews of the company or platform. While higher average ratings on Google Maps or Facebook suggest better service, the number of reviews is equally important, as platforms with thousands of reviews are far more reliable than those with only a few dozen. Tripool is a legally registered ride-hailing platform in Taiwan. For example, if you’re planning to travel from the main island to and need transfers between Kaohsiung Harbor and TRA Taichung Station, you can instantly check fares online with full transparency. All transactions are processed securely via credit card or convenience store payment, ensuring clear, traceable records and avoiding the disputes that often come with cash payments.
After analyzing the available data, we found the following alternatives to private charters or transfers. For the journey from Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station, the fastest land transportation is high-speed rail, but if you do not want to spend a lot of money, an iRent is the most cost-saving option for a group of 4-8 people. The data in the following table is based on a party of 4 and compares the pros and cons of a private car transfer, car rental, taxi, and high-speed rail. For a more complete analysis of transportation costs and time, please see the FAQ below. Furthermore, for solo travelers willing to sacrifice a bit of travel time in exchange for a convenient and affordable door-to-door service, we recommend considering Tripool's carpool.
- 1–8 passengers
- Truly pickup anywhere
- Ride guaranteed
- No hidden fees
- Pre-booking only
- No cash
- Comfortable seating
- No time wasted
- Tickets often sold out in peak season
- Multiple transfers needed
- Higher fare
- Low-cost
- Flexible schedule
- Extra commute to car pick-up
- Time restrictions for pick-up and return
- Additional risk involved
- Requires same-day return or a multi-day rental
- Meets urgent needs
- No upfront payment
- Inconsistent quality
- Usually limited to 4 passengers
- Higher price
| Item | tripool | HSR | Car Rental | Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | 160 mins | - | 165-190 mins | 165-175 mins |
| Price per Person | NT$850/person | NT$990/person | NT$700-860/person | NT$1,060-1,280/person |
| Pros |
|
|
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
|
|
Whether you're on a business trip or a family getaway, book your round-trip in one go and save more effortlessly!
About tripool
tripool is a licensed smart ride platform offering shared rides, point-to-point transfers, charter services, and airport pickups. Whether you're traveling solo or with family, you’ll always find the most suitable way to get around.
In addition to Taiwan, we also offer airport transfers and private tours in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand — ensuring your journey stays smooth and worry-free from the moment you land.
Save Up to 40%Our smart dispatch system reduces empty trips, helping you save up to 40% on fares—saving both money and time.
Flexible Cancellation, Zero StressPlans changed? No worries. Cancel within the allowed time and receive a full refund—completely stress-free.
Trusted by Real UsersEvery driver is carefully selected and trained. With over 500,000 rides served and a 99% satisfaction rate, we’ve earned travelers’ trust across Asia.
Our vehicles
5-Seater Sedan
Toyota Altis or similar
7-Seater MPV
Toyota Corolla Cross, RAV4, or similar
9-Seater Van
Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Tourneo or similar
Trusted by industry leaders
- 國立中興大學
- 台灣美光記憶體股份有限公司
- Scodix Ltd.
- 逢甲大學
- 廣明光電股份有限公司
- 瑞軒科技股份有限公司
- 精確實業股份有限公司
- 格斯科技
- 豪勉科技股份有限公司
- 大東紡織股份有限公司
TRA Taichung Station private Transfer FAQs
- To take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station, HSR is comfortable and quick but pricey. From the earliest departure at 05:50 to the latest at 22:55, there are up to 90 high-speed rail from Zuoying to Taichung each day. Assuming you depart from Kaohsiung Harbor (Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City) and head to the nearest Zuoying HSR station, a taxi ride would cost about NT$400 and take approximately 26 minutes. After arriving at the HSR station, the time to walk in, purchase tickets, and wait on the platform is about 20 minutes. Then, take a 42-69-minute (57 min on average) HSR ride from Zuoying Station to Taichung HSR Station. The ticket price is NT$790 per person, followed by a 10-minute walk to exit the station, wait for a ride at the taxi stand, and after a trip of about 32 minutes with a fare of NT$400, you will arrive at your destination at TRA Taichung Station (East District, Taichung City). The entire journey, including transfers, takes a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes. Assuming 4 people traveling together, the average cost per person for the HSR and transfers is NT$990. In contrast, if you use Tripool for a door-to-door private car service, the average cost per person is about NT$850, and the journey takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. For long-distance travel, the HSR is indeed faster than a car by 17 minutes, but it comes with an extra transportation cost of about NT$560. Therefore, for those who are not in a major hurry, booking with Tripool is the more cost-effective option. If you are traveling in a group of three or less, you can also consider Tripool's carpooling service to save up to an additional 50% on transportation costs.
- If you have a Taiwanese driver's license, are confident in your driving skills, and you do not need to rest in the car (since you will be the one driving), and most importantly, if you plan to make a same-day round trip, then iRent, which allows you to pick up and drop off a car on the street in the Kaohsiung City area, is likely your cheapest option. After registering on the iRent app, you can rent a small car for NT$115-205 per hour with an additional charge of NT$3.2 per kilometer. The estimated cost from Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station is between NT$2800 and NT$3450 (the price difference depends on weekday/weekend rates, car model, and how soon you make the return trip after reaching your destination). Although the estimate already includes potential eTag tolls and a roadside parking fee of NT$40 per hour, you are responsible for any additional car insurance and potential traffic fines. Furthermore, iRent by Hotai only offers basic models like the Toyota Yaris, Prius C, and Vios—functional, yes, but far from the comfort you'd expect for anything beyond a grocery run. If your group has more than four people, larger 7-seater or 9-seater vehicles are not available. Moreover, the most common complaint about self-service car-sharing services is the vehicle's condition; you might open the door to find trash left by the previous user or unrepaired dents. Every rental feels like opening a blind box—sometimes fine, sometimes frustrating. Additionally, you might occasionally face issues like the previous user not returning the car on time for your reservation, or being unable to find a parking spot when you need to return it. This poses a significant risk for those in a hurry or traveling with other passengers. Finally, while picking up and dropping off the car on the street seems convenient, it is restricted to specific operational zones. The available parking spots may still be some distance away from your actual departure or arrival point, making it very inconvenient in rainy weather or when carrying luggage.
- If you choose to take a taxi directly, in the Kaohsiung City area, you can use apps to hail a cab from 55688 Taiwan Taxi, Uber, Line Go, Yoxi, etc., and if you cannot hail a cab on the street, you can also consider calling taxi fleets near Kaohsiung Harbor, such as 倫永衛星大車隊, 高威交通, 瑞龍夏威夷聯合衛星計程車隊 to try to book a ride. Based on the meter, the estimated fare is between NT$4,235 and 5,100, but you could save up to NT$1,700 by booking with Tripool instead. Considering all factors, Tripool is your best choice for traveling from Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station in terms of both price and service quality.
- Among these options, Uber is the only one with broad and reliable coverage in Taiwan, available in major cities such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Grab does not operate in Taiwan. Didi previously entered the market but has since exited. Bolt has just launched in Taiwan and is currently limited to Taipei. Lyft is not available in Taiwan. If you are choosing among these five, Uber is by far the most practical and widely used option in Taiwan. However, for longer intercity transfers, airport rides, or day trips, tripool is often a better choice—offering transparent pricing, professional drivers, and coverage across Taiwan.
- Tripool provides 5-seater sedans, SUVs, and 9-seater vans for private car service. Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen are the most used brands, and there are also a few Lexus, Tesla, and Mercedes-Benz. All vehicles are legal, in good condition, non-smoking, and with up to $5 million insurance. If you have special requests or passengers are more than 8, tripool can arrange a VW Crafter, a 20-seater minibus, or a 40-seater tour bus. Please fill up the request form on our homepage, and we will provide a quote.
- Tripool will send a receipt through the third-party system one week after the ride. If passengers need to claim reimbursement for travel expenses, there is a blank to fill with the company's title and tax ID. It's legal, and there is no extra 5% for the receipt. Once the receipt is received via email, it can be printed out for reimbursement or saved as a PDF.
- There are many gypsy cabs or illegal taxis in Line and Facebook groups. Their fares are cheap but with many risks. If the cabs are pulled over by polices, passengers cannot continue the trip. If there is an accident, none of the insurance companies will settle a claim. Worst of all, illegal drivers may conduct crimes without any trace. Don't put your life at risk for just saving a few bucks. On the other hand, tripool contracts with legal drivers without any criminal record. All vehicles provide up to $5 million in insurance. The easiest way to distinguish a legal vehicle is the car plate number. Unless the initial character of the car plate number is either T or R, the car is 100% illegal for taxi service.
- In common, a 9-seater van can accommodate eight passengers with six 30" luggage. Suppose there are fewer passengers in the car. In that case, our driver can fold down the rear seats. There will be more space for oversized objects, such as surfboards, golf clubs, instruments, foldable bikes, desktop computers, etc. As long as these objects won't block the driver's sight and do no damage to the car body, passengers can put as many luggage and items as they like. But extra charge may be needed. You can find the details in the FAQ section. We suggest measuring the size, telling how many items to our online service first, and making the order afterward.
Besides from Kaohsiung Harbor to TRA Taichung Station , there are other popular routes, such as…
Download the tripool App Now
Ride smart, travel with peace of mind!
Whether you're on a business trip or a family getaway, book your round-trip in one go and save more effortlessly!
Book today, go tomorrow
From your doorstep to anywhere
Distance：209 km ｜Travel time：162 mins
fare estimation
Download the tripool App Now
Ride smart, travel with peace of mind!